Brilliant Benitez Turns Up At Last Night’s Fans Forum Meeting

We were wondering if Newcastle had given up on the Fans Forum meetings, since we haven’t had one since Monday, February 22nd – and that was a bit of a disaster with some of the responses from Lee Charnley less than realistic as he refused to admit the club were in a crisis.

And it was a few days after the squad had arrived back from their week long holiday in the south of Spain after we were hammered 5-1 at Chelsea and Steve McClaren quickly said not to panic and he would put everything right.

He didn’t and we lost our next two games at Stoke and at home to Bournemouth and Steve was gone and in came Rafa Benitez.

But a Fans Forum meeting was held last night and the Newcastle manager made a surprise appearance to meet with the Newcastle fans who make up the Forum.

Apparently after the Forum finished their official business in walked Rafa Benitez and talked to the group for a full hour according to Forum member Taylor Payne – who is the Members Representative.

Rafa answered questions from the fans, but they were informal and will not be part of the formal minutes once they are published.

It must have been fascinating to listen to Rafa – who is almost Mr Football with his vast knowledge of the game, but he is also a good business man with loads of common sense.

A good man to have guiding Newcastle United right now and some fans at the meeting said he was fully engaged with the fans and answered lots of different questions.

It’s a pity the will not be in the official minutes though – but it was great Rafa turned up.

Taylor Payne put this out on his Twitter account after the meeting.

Crossing my fingers that Rafa will be there tonight. Want to shake him by the hand and tell him if he ever needs a kidney he can have mine.

That’s fair enough. Judging by his first appearance of the season he looked ok. If he managed to make connection with that volley it could have been a goal. Seems to have an eye for goal which is great but drastically needs to improve his delivery. Didn’t get a chance to go on a dribble either. I think majority of fans would like to see him start on the left this sat. Ritchie on the right.

Isn’t the defining characteristic of point of the silent majority, that they are silent?
Though Jib and Donald Trump know who’s side they are on.
A five year contract is a vote of confidence in Aaron’s ability to get and stay fit and reach his potential. Let’s hope he recognises it is an invitation to raise his game.

In honor of two dedicated Newcastle fans, who lost their lives supporting Newcastle United.

Their passenger jet was shot down over Ukraine on Thursday July 17th, 2014 by rebels, as they were traveling to support the team in New Zealand.

We will never forget them.

Health Update - 4 Aug, 2016

The good news last week was that after more blood tests my PSA count is still undetectable

This means the prostate cancer is still under control, and there is no trace of it in the body.

Now to be even more vigilant so I can see the Rafa Benitez project come to its fruition over the next few years - wouldn't want to miss that.

Howay The Lads!!>

Ed Harrison

What Is A Football Club?

What is a club in any case?

Not the buildings or the directors or the people who are paid to represent it.

It’s not the television contracts, get-out clauses, marketing departments or executive boxes.

It’s the noise, the passion, the feeling of belonging, the pride in your city.

It’s a small boy clambering up stadium steps for the very first time, gripping his father’s hand, gawping at that hallowed stretch of turf beneath him and, without being able to do a thing about it, falling in love.